Tabita Berglund officially assumes her role as chief conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra with a distinct musical vision, stepping into the post previously held by Edward Gardner, who departed in the spring of 2024, according to a review published by NRK critic Eystein Sandvik.
A Distinct Debut in Grieghallen
The opening concert at Grieghallen marked Berglund’s inaugural appearance as the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra’s new chief leader ahead of her formal tenure next season. According to NRK, the program bridged local tradition and forward-looking curation, featuring works by Edvard Grieg, Arvo Pärt, Ørjan Matre, Geirr Tveitt, and Maurice Ravel.
Berglund opened the first half using Grieg’s own baton for the composer’s “Norwegian Dance No. 1.” Reviewer Eystein Sandvik noted that the performance possessed immediate nerve and character, contrasting with standard routine.
Stepping into the Cello Section for Arvo Pärt
Shifting musical styles, the orchestra performed Arvo Pärt’s spiritual 1970s work “Fratres” arranged for cello ensemble. According to NRK’s reporting, Berglund temporarily left the podium to join the orchestra’s cello section as a performer, utilizing a bandage on her left index finger specifically to strike the cellostring for the piece.
Did you know? Tabita Berglund holds two master’s degrees from the Norwegian Academy of Music, specializing in both cello performance and orchestral conducting.
Reviving Pandemic-Era Works
The program also featured the premiere of a revised concert experience for live audiences: Ørjan Matre’s percussion concerto “Still, what remains…,” with Hans-Kristian Kjos Sørensen as soloist. According to NRK, the piece was originally performed by the orchestra without a live audience during pandemic lockdowns in 2022 under conductor Ludovic Morlot. Reviewer Eystein Sandvik observed that hearing the theatrical work four years later in a full hall allowed its broader, image-building qualities to emerge more clearly.
Symphonic Culmination with Tveitt and Ravel
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tabita Berglund?
Tabita Berglund is the newly appointed chief conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Norway’s first female chief conductor of a major symphony orchestra, born in Trondheim in 1989.
Who was the previous chief conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra?
Edward Gardner served as the orchestra’s chief conductor before stepping down in the spring of 2024.
What works were performed at the debut concert?
The program included works by Edvard Grieg, Arvo Pärt, Ørjan Matre, Geirr Tveitt, and Maurice Ravel.
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